38 complaints reported

2015 Subaru Forester Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
38
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the horn was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,300.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
May 2024

Horn on steering wheel stopped working. Don't know when it stopped working, no lights, warnings on dash, nothing. You only use horn when you need it and when needed for safety concerns, it did not work. Almost got in an accident when needing horn which did not work and was first discovery of this safety defect. Same situation twice after first discovery of no horn while waiting for Dealership appointment day. But horn would work by pressing panic button on fob. Steering wheel, nothing. Dealer confirmed Steering Roll Connector causing horn to be inoperative on steering wheel. Very expensive basic safety component repair for Subaru customers. Best extended factory warranty back in 2015 was 7yr/100k mi. Our Subaru was only 8yrs 8mo old and with only 79k miles. Out of warranty, but Subaru of America did help with bill as a good faith jester being so close to being in warranty. Much appreciated. However, this basic safety feature should last much longer than 8yrs or almost 9yrs, especially with no prior or current warning it has failed. Everything else on steering wheel electrically functioned fine. This defect can cause an accident, possibly a serious accident. Glad my wife and I were not in that statistic. This is not the only complaint involving horn not working on this 2015 model here and elsewhere. Makes me wonder what other Subaru years and models experience this safety defect. I strongly believe this should be a safety recall before there's a fatality, if not already, from horn function on steering wheel becoming inoperative without warning.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2024
Sep 2023

power locks have failed in all 4 doors, must be manually unlocked from inside or key used in door. you can hear internal components trying to unlock latches but do not catch properly. especially dangerous with children in the backseat there is no quick way to unlock doors and get them out in an emergency

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2023
Mar 2023

The passenger side mirror started smoking and then the locks and interior lights no longer work.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2023
Feb 2023

The horn became intermittently functional and now is no longer working and it has been diagnosed as the roll connector. When the horn fails, it is very dangerous and it appears from Internet reports, it is quite prevalent in this model.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2023
Oct 2022

I hand washed my 2015 Subaru Forester using a garden hose with no pressure nozzle on the hose. While drying it I noticed a very strong burning smell. I then noticed smoke coming from the drivers side door mirror. It smoked for 30 to 40 seconds. Afterward my key fob door locking/unlocking functions do not work. Also the dome lights and clock do not work, as well as the TPMS. When I lock the car with a key, it only locks the drivers door. If I lock the car manually with the inside push button and close the door all doors are locked, but when I unlock it with the key the "Panic Horn" starts beeping. The car has not been repaired yet and is available for inspection. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the smoking mirror. This happened inside a washbay and I was definitely concerned about a major fire, luckily this did not happen. I googled this incident and there are other instances of this exact same incident occurring, as well as a recall of 630,000 Subaru vehicles in prior years, but not the 2015 model. My vehicle has never sustained any damage of any kind. No accidents, no fender benders, no weather related damage what so ever. This Forester, although being a 2015 model year, is in showroom condition with only 15,850 miles.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2022
Sep 2022

I own a 2015 Suburu Forester with just under 60,000 miles. i have noticed the engine does not start right off, making me nervous. I drive a lot and don't want to get stranded. On 9/19/2022 I went to the Battery Outlet in Quakertown and they said i have a battery drain. They did not think the battery needed to be replaced but to me, the greater issue is WHY IS MY BATTERY DRAINING TO BEGIN WITH. Of course, the car would be available for inspection. No I am not at risk. I have to ask my mechanic to check it out. I bought the car in 9/2020 and due to covid I did not use it as much as I am now. No warning lights on this; I can hear the engine struggling to start.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2022
Feb 2022 Fire

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the fan switch failed to operate at high speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fan switch had burned and melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. The dealer stated they had seen these issues before on other customer's vehicles. It's a strong possibility of fire in the cockpit.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated after turning the vehicle off, the next morning the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and the failure was remedied but reoccurred. The contact indicated that on at least four separate occasions, the battery had failed and had been replaced. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Dec 2021

I have had to replace my battery about every 16 months. Seems like something is draining the battery prematurely. I shouldn't have to keep buying new batteries every year.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2021
Dec 2021

Battery drains while parked. Battery needs to be replaced more frequently than it should

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Jul 2021

There have been numerous instances of the battery being drained when nothing was left on or running. This has happened on at least four different occasions, with two of these leading to a need for calling for assistance. I am unsure of the cause of this problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2021
Jul 2021

2015 Subaru Forester Horn stopped working at 80,000 miles. Replaced steering roll connector at considerable expense. 3rd Forester. Question of how frequent & whether Subaru is aware of problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Jun 2021

unusual battery drain. Had battery replaced.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2019
May 2021

I HAVE HAD A SUDDEN BATTERY DRAIN. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR. THE CAR HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2021
May 2021

THE BATTERY DRAINS OFTEN AND QUICKLY. IT HAPPENS LONG BEFORE THE WARRANTY IS UP ON THE BATTERY. THIS INTERRUPTS KEY SYSTEMS AND MAKE IT UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. EVEN CHARGING THE BATTERY DOES NOT HELP. IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE GONE THROUGH THREE BATTERIES IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. EACH TIME I HAVE TO HAVE A MECHANIC RESET ALL SYSTEMS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021
Apr 2021

This vehicle currently has about 65,000 miles on it. I have had to replace the battery twice since owning it (new). The first replacement was at 50283 miles and then again at 57335 miles. I have recently been made aware that it is alleged that this Subaru model is defective in such a way to precipitate early battery failure. I want my experience added to that of others. I have documentation of these two battery replacements which I could supply upon request.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2018
Oct 2020

FIRST MY BATTERY WENT AND I HAVE 56,000 MILES. MY GAUGE FOR GASOLINE IS NOT WORKING ALSO THE MONITOR ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN IS WRONG. MY WINDOW IS NOT WORKING ON THE AUTOMATIC ON THE DRIVER SIDE, NOW IT DOES NOT GO UP WITH LIFTING THE BUTTON IT HASS TO BE LIFTED SEVERAL TIMES. IT SEEMS NOW THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED I HAVE MANY ISSUES. WHEN I CALLED SUBARU TO INSTALL A NEW BATTERY I WAS TOLD IT WAS 49.95 TO INSTALL. UNACCEPTABLE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Mar 2020

WENT OUTSIDE BECAUSE I SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR. DOUSED WITH HOSE, NOW CAR WON'T LOCK. CAR IN DRIVEWAY. NO PHOTO BECAUSE IMPORTANT TO PUT OUT ANY FIRE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2020
Mar 2020

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAR WILL START AND RUN BUT WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS INVOLVING TURNING THE MOTOR BACK ON AND PULLING THE KEY OUT AS I'M TURNING THE MOTOR OFF. IT MAY GO A COUPLE OF DAYS AND BE FINE THEN DO IT SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2020
Jul 2019

CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, 70MPH, ON INTERSTATE. CAR SPEED IMMEDIATELY STARTED DROPPING. CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2019
Jun 2019

WHILE STATIONARY, HORN QUIT WORKING. FUSE UNDER HOOD REPLACED TWICE AT $16 EACH. FUSE BLOWS AFTER BLOWING HORN ONCE. WHEN YOU HIT THE PANIC BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB THE HORN BLOWS FINE. LIKELY A SHORT IN THE STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR. OTHER SUBARU'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS ONE SHOULD BE ALSO.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2019
Jun 2019

I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS (SPEED LIMIT 45MPH) TO RUN SIMPLE ERRANDS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME WHICH WAS JUST A MINUTE OR TWO AWAY. AS I SAT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I REALIZED THE ENGINE WAS IDLING A BIT ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SPOKE WITH SUBARU AS WELL AS OUR MECHANIC AT NEW DIMENSIONS AUTOMOTIVE. APPARENTLY, SUBARU HAD ISSUED A MECHANICS NOTICE TO BE AWARE THAT ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS EXISTED. WE ULTIMATELY HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED AT NEW DIMENSIONS ON 8/6/19 IN THE AMOUNT OF $877.53. OUR MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THIS MECHANICAL ISSUE MAY WELL BECOME A RECALL, AND TO KEEP OUR RECEIPT FOR JUST THAT REASON.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2019
May 2019

THE HORN ON MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER FAILED TO FUNCTION AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES. I DO NOT KNOW SPECIFICS ABOUT THE HORN FAILURE AS I DON'T ROUTINELY USE IT. APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS AFTER I LEARNED ABOUT THE HORN, THE RADIO, CLOCK, AND DOOR LOCK REMOTE FEATURE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED THE HORN PROBLEM AS A FAULTY STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR (SRC) AND REPLACED THE CONNECTOR. THE HORN NOW FUNCTIONS. THE SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT A MISPLACED FUSE (#8 - BACKUP) CAUSED FAILURE OF THE OTHER SYSTEMS. THEY IMPLIED THAT I HAD MISPLACED THE FUSE - I DID NOT - I CHECKED ONLY THE HORN AND RADIO FUSES. NO ONE ELSE HAS ACCESS TO MY VEHICLE. I HAVE LEARNED THAT SUBARU RECALLED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER MODELS OF THEIR VEHICLES IN 2010 DUE TO FAULTY SRCS. SUSPICIOUSLY, THE SYMPTOMS THEY BLAMED ON MY SUPPOSEDLY MISPLACED FUSE COINCIDE WITH SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAULTY SRCS IN THE 2010 RECALL. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: A CAR HORN IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT SAFETY COMPONENT AND SHOULD NOT BE PRONE TO FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTOR WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. SUBARU SERVICE STATED THEY RARELY ENCOUNTER SRC FAILURE, YET JUST 4 YEARS BEFORE MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED, THEIR SRCS WERE RECALLED BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS. SECONDLY, BLAMING ME FOR FAILURE OF OTHER SYSTEMS THAT ARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL (RADIO VOLUME AND TUNING) OR HORN (HORN BEEPS IF YOU PUSH THE LOCK REMOTE 3 TIMES) APPEARS (IN MY OPINION) LIKE AN ATTEMPT TO COVER UP A PROBLEM WITH THE SRC THAT INVOLVES MORE THAN JUST THE HORN - WHICH IS ALREADY ENOUGH TO CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES IN ITSELF. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILE THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT - I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE IF SUBARU SRCS ARE STILL CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2019
May 2019 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED WITH ALARMS AND SEVERAL BEEPING SOUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED ONCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND BECAME AWARE OF AN ABNORMAL BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ADDITIONALLY, THE BATTERY LOST ITS CHARGE AND WAS REPLACED. FLEMINGTON SUBARU LOCATED AT 167 NJ-31, FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822, (908) 824-2334, WAS CONTACTED AND AN ARRANGEMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PICKED UP AND TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 14 DAYS THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS OFFERED A REPURCHASE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE BLUE BOOK VALUE PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A DECISION WAS NOT MADE AS WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT THE REPURCHASE ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 900.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2014

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2015 Subaru Forester has 38 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.